October 1, 2026
When to Wear Cufflinks
Learn when to wear cufflinks, which shirt styles require them, and how to style them for formal and business occasions.
Wear cufflinks with French cuff (double cuff) dress shirts. Cufflinks are most appropriate for formal and business professional attire. A French cuff doubles back over itself to align slots in which you insert the cufflinks. Your shirt cuff style determines whether cufflinks are even an option.
When should you wear cufflinks?
Cufflinks are appropriate for formal and business professional occasions such as black tie events, weddings, formal galas, important business meetings, and job interviews in conservative industries. French cuff shirts are the only type of shirt that accommodates cufflinks. Standard dress shirts have barrel cuffs that button closed. You can't use cufflinks with barrel cuff dress shirts.
Style Tips:
Create a cohesive look by matching your cufflink metal with the metal of your other accessories, such as your watch, tie bar, and belt buckle. Keep your cufflink design simple and understated for business settings. You can wear more decorative cufflink styles at weddings and with a full formal look that includes a dress tie.
Common Mistakes
Avoid wearing oversized or novelty cufflinks at conservative, formal business events. Also, don't wear a French cuff shirt and cufflinks with a casual outfit.
From ties to cufflinks, explore The Tie Bar's accessories collection to complete your formal look.
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